Fifth Congressional District Democratic candidate Hal Bidlack will have a new campaign manager starting Thursday, according to a Bidlack spokesperson.

Alex Pearson, a veteran Democratic manager and fundraiser, will take over Bidlack's campaign from Roger Ratcliff and Donna Young, said spokesperson Christy Le Lait.

Le Lait said the change was planned.

"It was time to move our campaign into a different direction," Le Lait said.

Pearson is a former western finance director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, where he raised money for -- among others -- U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar's 2006 campaign, according to Le Lait and ZoomInfo.com.

He was also a national fundraiser for Howard Dean's 2006 presidential campaign and managed Dean's political action committee, according to ZoomInfo.

Although Bidlack, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel from Colorado Springs, has raised more money so far than previous Democratic candidates in the 5th Congressional District, he is considered a longshot against incumbent U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado Springs).

UPDATED 6:25 P.M. CST. Pearson also succeeds Donna Young on the Bidlack campaign.